Have over 16,000 miles on my 2012 so first 500 mile break in is not a problem. Im about to tow our new popup this weekend and it is the first towing ive done. The manual says to kind of take it easy the first 500 towing as well (under 50 mph, no sudden starts). I understand the point of how it will make the powertrain work a bit harder, but with so many miles on the jeep already, do i really need 500 miles not on the highway?

I will definently take surface roads the 45 mile ride home from picking it up, but what about my 60 mile ride to the campground on friday, 40 of which can be highway? Any opinions, or just shut up and listen to the manual?

 

That's all good advice to follow. I'll bet most people pay little attention to it and have no problems. The 16,000 miles you already have should have been enough to lap-in the gears in pretty good shape.

How much does the camper weigh? How often will you tow it or anything else? Do you plan to use 75W-140 synthetic gear lube in the rear axle, since you will be towing?

 

Don't worry about it, your good to go. Chrysler's have a 500 mile break in is mainly for the ecm to set the parameters for the engine and trans. It's sort of a learning curve for the jeep.

 

I picked up my 3500 pound toyhauler and brought it home from 370 miles away. Only had around 4000 miles on my jku sport. It was two weeks ago. I did just this weekend change out both diff fluids and put in the recommended synthetic for future trips. Higher viscosity in the rear. Super easy to change to fluids. You should do it if you are towing the popup.

 

You should be good to go and if your Jeep came with the tow package you should have the synthetic oil in the diff's already. That is how ours came from the factory and it is specified as part of the tow package.

 

Where is that listed? Couldn't find it on the web site as part of the tow package.

 

First I have heard of this as well.

 

Maybe it's a difference in wording some of you are using -- but the 75w-140 weight oil is specified in the owners manual.

 

I ordered the max tow package. I can look again at my window sticker, but I do not recall any indication that the factory filled the rear with synthetic 75-140. In fact, I would be really surprised if they did. The rears are probably already preassembled and filled with the standard fluid regardless of whether or not you ordered the tow or max tow package. Yes the manual recommends the higher viscosity for towing but no indication that's what the factory would put in.

 

I will look for that again. Can't remember where I saw it.